A released South Korean hostage smiles in the vehicle of the International Committee of the Red Cross, after they were released by the Taliban in Ghazni province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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The Taliban released eight hostages today, a day after reaching a deal with the South Korean government. Three who were released earlier this morning were brought to the town of Ghazni by tribal elders—acting as mediators—then handed over to the Red Cross. South Korea has agreed to pull out its troops from Afghanistan (as already planned) and stop its citizens from traveling there.

A ransom may also have been paid, although there has been no official mention of that. The Taliban has said all of the remaining hostages will be released. Two women had already been released, and two men had been executed. The hostages were part of a Christian charity group.